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Sunday, October 26, 2014

Hand-me-Down Bride by Juliet
Waldron

To help her impoverished family, Sophie agrees to marry a wealthy older
in far off America. Less than twenty-four hours after she arrives in German’s
Mill, Pennsylvania, events have taken a far stranger turn than anything she
could have imagined.

Set in Post-Civil-War Pennsylvania, this tale of
an arranged marriage is as much family saga as romance. Sophie is a sensitive
young woman struggling to make sense of her past and to understand her new
homeland. Karl is not only a veteran of the Great War, but scarred by the
secret violence of his childhood. How they both learn to trust—and to love—is
their unique story.

The premise for this story is intriguing and captured
my attention immediately, drawing me in quickly. This book is unique in that it
involves German immigrants who have moved to America. I thoroughly enjoyed the
historical elements very much, and it is obvious the Ms. Waldron researched
this period of history, giving me a fascinating glimpse of what life must have
been like in a German immigrant village in the post-Civil War era.

Sophie Neiman comes to Pennsylvania to marry
Theodore Wildbach, a man three times her age. He dies on their wedding night
without consummating the marriage. Karl Joseph, his youngest son, gives her a
job as his housekeeper, when he finds out his father did not provide for her in
his will. This is a lie. Karl’s brother, who is married to the judge’s daughter,
connives and hides the codicil, which would have provided for Sophie.

At first Sophie and Karl do not get along at all. He
thinks she is a prude; she thinks he is uncouth. They are at odds most of the
time. However, Sophie’s questioning mind intrigues Karl. As they get to know
each other better, they find redeeming qualities in one another and a growing
attraction blossoms. When he finds out she only married his father to bring her
family to America, he realizes she willingly sacrificed herself for them.

In his father’s will, the only way he can inherit
the mill is to marry a German woman and run it for two years before he attempts
to sell it and move west. Since Sophie is not like the other German women he
knows, Karl decides to win her heart, but does he trust her? She has a secret. Finding
it out could be the answer he needs to gain her love or tear it asunder. Will
she accept him if she finds out about his father’s will, or will she turn from
him, thinking he sees her only as a means to gain his inheritance?

After such a promising start, the sagging middle is a
bit tedious to read. This occurs because the hero and heroine have too much
conflict. But once they move past that, the pace picks up dramatically and the
second half of the book pulled me in again. The author does an excellent job of
setting up a scene. At one point in the story, there is a fierce storm; she
describes it so well that I felt as if I were experiencing it with them. The
emotions Karl feels when he sees Sophie is in danger are intense and very
well-written. I sat on the edge of my seat as he raced against time to safe
her.

While I enjoyed the ending and was pleased Sophie
and Karl had their ‘Happily Ever After’, it was somewhat rushed. Ms. Waldron leaves
some plot lines dangling to some degree, especially in regards to his conniving
brother and his devious wife. Also the book needs some serious editing. There
are quite a few missing words. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and I am glad I
read it. If you like a story with a unique story line and a strong romantic
element, then this will be a book you will want to read. Happy reading!

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About Me

I'm an avid reader of Historical Romance and a true romantic at heart. I also read and review in other sub-genres as well. I have recently started writing and have written 6 novels and I'm working on my 7th and I just started seriously writing in June 2010. I love to discuss reading and writing, and I'm happiest curled up in my chair with a good book and a cup of coffee!